This brand new release had some glowing reviews and a Promotional tour that provided me with an Advanced Reader Copy. I had not read this author before but she had a lot of great reviews from previous works.

After all that I am sorry to say I was let down by this book. It is a good story and would probably be a good beach read but not much more. I was disappointed that after reading the first 50 pages I knew exactly how the story was going to unfold and even end – and I was right. There are some interesting characters although I felt like I did not get to “know” any of them. I didn’t like the story enough to really enjoy it, but didn’t dislike it enough not to finish. This is a light, popcorn book that would be good for the moment but left me wanting more.

And one final comment – it’s a pet peeve of mine but the cover! The main character is a long distance, always running person. Other characters are worried about how much she runs. She runs so much that she gets light headed. The cover does not, to me, look like a distance runner nor is she dressed for running.

Want to give it a read? See if you agree or disagree? I will do a drawing for my copy. Just make a comment on this blog and you are entered (US residents only please). If you disagree with me, I will post your review to this blog – just to be fair. The drawing will be on Sunday, May 6.

SUMMARY

When a young widow’s reclusive life in a charming beach town is interrupted by a surprise visitor, she is forced to reckon with dark secrets about her family, her late husband, and the past she tried to leave behind.

Lauren Adelman and her high school sweetheart, Rory Kincaid, are a golden couple. They marry just out of college as Rory, a star hockey player, earns a spot in the NHL. Their future could not look brighter when Rory shocks everyone-Lauren most of all-by enlisting in the U.S. Army. When Rory dies in combat, Lauren is left devastated, alone, and under unbearable public scrutiny.

Seeking peace and solitude, Lauren retreats to her family’s old beach house on the Jersey Shore. But this summer she’s forced to share the house with her overbearing mother and competitive sister. Worse, a stranger making a documentary about Rory tracks her down and persuades her to give him just an hour of her time.

One hour with filmmaker Matt Brio turns into a summer of revelations, surprises, and upheaval. As the days grow shorter and her grief changes shape, Lauren begins to understand the past-and to welcome the future.